Meet the Strandbeests: Amazingly Life-Like Wind-Driven Machines

The beaches featured in the clip above seem calm and peaceful, but the wind that might make it less pleasant for human visitors is what drives these fascinating inhabitants: Strandbeests. Strangely life-like, especially in the smooth movements of their numerous legs, wind animates these fascinating, skeletal constructions as they stretch their wings, walk, and sometimes stumble. What’s behind these mesmerizing creatures? Turns out the Strandbeests are the recent (meaning, for over two decades…) life’s work of Dutch artist Theo Jansen. His hope is that eventually he can leave the Strandbeests to wander the beaches on their own and “live their own lives,” which honestly sounds pretty cool. If you see one, kids, be nice!